On the front nine at Norwood Hills, the finalists halved only three holes – Nos. 1, 7 and 9. Johnson won Nos. 2 and 3, Chugg won the next three holes, and Johnson birdied the par-5 eighth to square the match heading into the back nine.

It was more of the same on the back nine with Johnson winning Nos. 11 and 12, but Chugg won three consecutive holes on Nos. 13-15 to take a 1-up lead. But Johnson answered with a birdie on the 381-yard, par-4 16th hole.

All square heading into the 481-yard par-5 18th, Johnson hit the green in two and two-putted for the title.

Earlier this week, Johnson finished as the stroke-play medalist for the second time at this championship after rounds of 72-71. She was previously medalist in 2016 at the Kahkwa Club in Erie, Pa., where she eventually finished as the runner-up to Julia Potter-Bobb.

Chugg was looking to become the fourth player to win back-to-back U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur titles, following Meghan Stasi (2006-07), whom Chugg defeated in Wednesday’s quarterfinals; Sarah LeBrun Ingram (1993-94); and Ellen Port (1995-96).

By virtue of winning, Johnson received a 10-year exemption into the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur and an exemption into the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open at the Country Club of Charleston (S.C.).

On her way to the title, Johnson also defeated Brenda Pictor (6 and 5); Port (2 and 1); Jordan Craig-Nyiri (6 and 5); Clare Connolly (3 and 2); and Michelle Butler (7 and 5).